Carmelita Boyd Obituary

Sister Carmelita Boyd CHARLESTON - Sister Carmelita Boyd, a Sister of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy, died on September 4, 2024. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 PM, Friday, September 6, 2024, at Nativity Catholic Church, 1061 Folly Road, Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service. Sister Carmelita, formerly Rosemary Veronica Boyd, was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on September 11, 1935, a daughter of Francis J. and Elizabeth Ayres Boyd. A graduate of St. Agnes High School, College Point, NY, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ and a MAT degree in Elementary Education from Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC. She also attended the Citadel College in Charleston, SC taking graduate courses in Elementary School Administration. Sister Carmelita entered the convent August 15, 1953, and professed her first vows August 22, 1956, and perpetual vows August 22, 1958. Sister Carmelita, having dedicated her life to the service of God's people, was an educator who taught at Our Lady of Mt. Virgin School, Middlesex, NJ, as well as schools in the Diocese of Charleston, SC. These included Christ Our King- Stella Maris School, Mt. Pleasant, SC, St. Mary's School Greenville, SC, St. Anne School Sumter, SC, St. Andrew's School, Myrtle Beach, SC, Charleston Catholic School, Nativity School, and Cathedral School in Charleston SC. Sister Carmelita was principal at Cathedral School and St. Anne School Sumter, SC. Along with her many years as an educator, Sister Carmelita also served as a pastoral assistant in St. Joseph's Parish Charleston, SC, Divine Savior Parish, York, SC and St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Simpsonville, SC. After nearly sixty years in active ministry as an educator, Sister Carmelita continued to carry out the spiritual and corporal works of Mercy by visiting the homebound, corresponding with the imprisoned, comforting the sorrowful, supporting multiple charitable organizations and being an active participant in the prayer ministry of praying for the living and deceased. Sister Carmelita was predeceased by her parents and two brothers and is survived by her sister, Sister Rosemary Boyd, OLM; her sister-in-law, Mrs. Marie Boyd of Coarsegold, CA; nieces, Margaret Conlin of St. Jose, CA, Kim Kieley of Santa Clara, CA; nephew, Matthew Boyd of Coarsegold, CA and her sisters in community, The Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Center, PO Box 607, Johns Island, SC 29457. Arrangements by James A. McAlister Inc. (843) 766-1365.